Chapter Text
The family of three spent the early evening hours acting as if TK’s questions at the farmer’s market had never occurred. He had relayed the conversation to Carlos, who had learned little more about the situation at work, so they decided to take things slowly with Elayna.
After a dinner in which everyone decided they never needed to eat kohlrabi again, TK moved through the house at lightning speed, straightening and putting things where they belonged. “Come on, Layna, pick up your stuff,” he said, referring to her backpack and the schoolwork she had scattered on the couch. When she ignored him and continued playing on her phone, he said, “Elayna, game night is starting soon. Clean up your mess.”
“It’s just stupid game night. Nobody will care,” she said, not bothering to look up from her phone.
“I care,” he said and he began piling up her books.
“Stop!” She leaped to an upright position and yanked a book out of his hand. “Don’t touch my stuff!” She looked up and saw the anger flash in his eyes. Instead of deterring her, it fueled her. Carlos looked on from his spot in the kitchen where he was finishing the charcuterie board. He wanted to intercede. They all knew she would behave the moment he did, but he stayed in his place and allowed TK to handle the situation. She slammed the book onto the table and grabbed more from the couch to throw down with it. By the time she went to pick up another batch of materials to hurl, he had grabbed her arm and stopped her.
“Enough,” he said in a quiet voice that did not match the expression on his face. She fought against his hold, so he released it. “Get all of your stuff, and get up to your room. Now.”
Her emotions overwhelmed her. She wanted to freeze, and fight, and flee, all at the same time. She wanted to yell and swear at him, but also cry and fall into his arms. She pushed these feelings down, gathered her things as fast as she could, and ran out of the room. Carlos’ voice caught up with her when she reached the stairs, “Leave your phone.” She stopped long enough to extricate it from her pocket and bang it onto the banister before exiting to her room.
The phone found its way from the railing to the top of the refrigerator by way of Carlos, then he took his hors d'oeuvres to the coffee table. When everything looked perfect, he turned towards his husband who remained glued to his spot. He placed his hands on the sides of TK’s face and left a tender kiss on his lips. “It’s ok,” he said. “You handled that great.”
“I didn’t. I put my hand on her, Carlos! In anger!”
“TK, no. You stopped her from continuing with aggression. Then you let go of her and she did what you said.” The ringing doorbell interrupted them. “You were great.” He patted TK’s cheek and moved towards the door. “And don’t take that personally. That,” he pointed at the couch where his wayward foster daughter had sat, “was not personal.”
“Yeah,” TK said, trying to convince himself that Carlos was right.
Carlos opened the door and all their friends from the 126 entered with their typical noise and exuberance, shouting greetings and carrying food and beverages into the dining room and kitchen.
“Where’s my favorite niece?” Marjan asked. “I thought she’d be greeting her auntie at the door.”
“She’s upstairs right now,” TK said.
Marj made for the stairs. “Great,” she said. “I’ll go get her.”
“Actually, Marjan,” Carlos said, “let’s leave her for a bit. We’re having a little issue.”
“Oh?” her eyebrows raised, “Ok. Well, let me go get a drink and you can tell me when I can see her.”
She walked to the kitchen as Carlos and TK shared a sympathetic look. Soon drinks were drunk, food was eaten, and the game was being played. Laughter filled the first floor of the townhouse and tensions eased.
After a half hour, Carlos escaped the company to the kitchen and motioned for Marjan to join him. “Ready to release you prisoner?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He reached for a small plate and began arranging crudite and cheese on it. “Here. Take this to her, please.”
“Wow!” she said, raising an eyebrow. “This looks good. Funny, I don't ever remember being sent to my room as a kid and getting charcuterie delivered.”
“Well,” he said, plopping a final strawberry on the plate. “My guess is that you never experienced food insecurity issues.“ When her face turned contrite, he continued. “Besides living on the streets for a bit, most of her foster and group homes did not adequately provide for her. Plus, she lived in poverty with her mom as a toddler. I’m just trying to keep her fed.”
“Man, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know all of that. I mean, I should have -”
“It’s ok, Marjan. It’s ok. You didn’t know.”
“You’re a really good dad, ya know that? TK, too. You guys are doing great.”
He smiled, “Thanks,” and squeezed her arm as she started upstairs with the plate of food.
LSLSLSLSLS
Elayna flipped her phone closed and shoved it under the covers. She was about to yell, thinking it was one of her foster dads barging into her room. Afterall, they were the ones who suggested the “no entering without permission” rule, likely at the behest of Child Services. But it was Marjan. And if she’d learned anything, it was that Marwani did what Marwani wanted. Even the Captain had trouble keeping her tame.
“Marjan!” she yelled in excitement at seeing someone who was not mad at her enter the room. She jumped up from her bed, making sure to tuck her phone behind her under the comforter, and wrapped the woman in a hug.
“Hey, that’s Aunt Marjan to you.”
Elayna continued to hug but ignored the comment. Marjan had made it once before and Elayna did not know how to take it. Was she kidding? Was it a respect thing? Cultural? She preferred to not call anyone by their name if she could help it. It made things easier.
“I brought you a snack, courtesy of Carlos.” She handed the plate to the girl who promptly placed it on her dresser.
“Carlos always thinks I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, funny, he seems to really love you.” She joked with the girl. “Maybe just nibble at something so he won’t worry.”
Elayna rolled her eyes but took a piece of Gruyere. “ Probably not loving me so much today. Did they tell you what a jerk I am?” She plopped back down on her bed, making sure her phone was hidden underneath her.
“No one told me anything. Just that you all were having an issue.” Marjan sat next to the teen.
“Well, I was a jerk -- just started yelling at TK for no reason. I feel like such an idiot.”
“I’m sorry.” She tucked a piece of Elayna’s hair behind her ear. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Lanie broke a cracker in half and shrugged one shoulder. “There’s not much to say. Sometimes I get upset about stupid stuff and act like a brat.”
“Everyone makes mistakes, but the boys love you so much, even when you are being a brat. Why don’t you go apologize. I’m sure that will smooth things over.”
“I’m not actually sure I’m allowed out of my room.”
Marjan rose and threw her hands up. “Good news! You are! Carlos said that you are free.” She reached for the girl’s hand that was not holding a plate and pulled her to her feet, and they both walked downstairs together.
Carlos was joking with his friends, but TK was refilling drinks in the kitchen. As soon as Elayna locked eyes with him, she felt welcome. She walked into his open arms and told him she was sorry. He kissed the top of her head. “It’s ok. It’s over now,” he said.
When all the food had been eaten and the games played, the partygoers began to make their exits. TK cleaned and Carlos walked their guests to the door. He lingered a bit with Margan and thanked her for her help with Elayna. But when they hugged, Margan peeked over his shoulder at TK and Lanie in the kitchen. She watched as TK retrieved the teen’s phone from the top of the refrigerator and returned it to the smiling girl. “She has two phones?’” she said over Carlos’ shoulder.
His brow furrowed. “What?” he asked, pulling back.
“Your kid,” she said. “She has two phones?”
Carlos’ eyes widened and they both turned to watch the father and daughter in the kitchen.